US2420281A - Diving mask - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 6, 1947 UNirED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful mprovements in masks used by persons diving and especially those who engage in the sport of underwater spearing of fish.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an underwater mask which will snugly engage the face of the diver and prevent water from reaching the eyes.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a mask which can be readily applied and which because of its resilient construction will snugly fit the contours of various shaped faces.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a diving mask which can be readily disassembled for the purpose of repair or replacement of parts.

Various other important objects and advantages of the invention shall become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the mask.

Figure 2 is a front elevation.

Figure 3 is a side elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view taken on the line llof Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a top plan view showing the pattern of the mask wall.

Referring t the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral denotes a continuous mask wall constructed of resilient material such as rubber.

Figure 6 shows a wall blank and it will be noted that this blank has a straight edge portion 6 and a curved edge portion, this portion having two main outstanding protuberances 'I, l which are intended to engage the temple portions of a per' sons face. The indented portion 8 engages the nose of the wearer.

At the inner side of the wall 5 and elongated from end to end, groove 9 is formed to receive an ovate transparent pane Ill. The end portions of the blank 5 are buied, as' at II, and these end portions are bridged by a strip I2 along both the inner and outer sides thereof, this strip I2 being preferably vulcanized in place with the opposed ends of the wall 5.

At the outside of the thus formed wall is a band I3 of metal which is split and has apertured outstanding ears I4 at its end portions through which a bolt I5 is disposed, this bolt being equipped with a nut I6. Obviously, by tightening the nut I6 firmly against the adjacent ear I4,

the band I3 will have been contracted snugly against the forward edge portion of the wall 5, clamping this portion of the wall snugly against the perimeter of the pane I0.

Before the band is tightened in place, the ends of straps Il, I8 are inserted between the band I3 and the wall 5, so that when the band is contracted to snugly clamp the wall against the edge portion of the pane I0, the straps I'I, I8 will also be rmly clamped in place. The straps I'I, I8 are provided with a suitable connector I9 whereby the straps may be properly adjusted against the head of the diver.

At the top of the mask is a metal strip 2i! which underlies the space between the ears I4 of the clamp band I3. This is to prevent bulging of the mask at this point.

An advantage is to provide ear covering extensions 2 I, each of which has an ear plug 22 adapted to be inserted into the ears of the wearer in order to exclude water when the mask is being used under water. As can be seen in Figure 1, the straps I'I, IB cross the ear covering extensions 2I and over the plugs 22 to hold the latter firmly in place.

It can now be seen, that with the wall 5 of some suitable flexible material, preferably rubber and the straps l?, i8 snugly engaging the head of the wearer, the wall 5 will be in such firm engagement with the face of the wearer as to preclude the possibility of any water entering within the wall 5, thus affording the diver clear vision.

It will also be noted, that the parts of this mask are readily demountable for the purpose of repair or replacement of parts. The bolt I5 need only be removed and the entire structure will come apart.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size andinaterials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A mask comprising a flexible waterproof wall structure having an irregular rear edge portion adapted to conform with the shape of a human face at the eye area thereof, the forward portion of said wall having a groove adjacent its forward edge said wall being provided with a transparentpane fitted in said groove, means for securing the pane in position in said groove, said means for securing the pane in position consisting of a band ciroumscribing the forward portion of the wall and being contractible to compress the forward portion of the wall snugly against the perimeter of the pane and the ends thereof joining one another at a point removed from the sides of the wall structure, and head straps provided with connecting means, said head straps having the forward ends thereof extended in from the front of the mask and interposed and clamped between the band and the wall, the straps being bent back from the front of the mask for connection with one another behind the ears of a wearer.

2. A mask comprising a flexible waterproof wall structure having an irregular edge portion to the rear thereof adapted to conform with the shape of a human face at the eye area thereof, the peripheral forward portion of said wall structure having a groove on the inside thereof adjacent its forward edge, means for holding the wall structure against the face of the wearer, said wall being provided with a transparent pane at the front thereof received about its edge in said groove, said wall being provided with ear covering extensions, said means for holding the wall in place being disposed over the ear coverings, clamping means for the peripheral forward portion of said wall structure and the forward portion of said holding means, said clamping means comprising a band removably clamped in fixed position about said pane with its ends joining one another at the top of the mask, a bridging strip for supporting the wall structure extending from the front edge of the wall to the rear thereof and lying beneath the joined ends of the clamped band.

MARCUS J. ZBAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,362,917 Malcom Nov. 14, 1944 2,333,336 Powell Nov. 2, 1943 1,741,327 Merlino n Dec. 31, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Dato 402,540 French Oct. 11, 1909

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